Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund

Our Mission

The mission of the Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund is to break down barriers and open doors to college degrees, technical training, apprenticeships, and/or employment with Citizens Energy Group or affiliated partners, thus developing a pipeline of talent from the community to the Indiana workforce. Scholarship funds are raised through YPLF’s annual golf outing and other fundraising activities.

Board of Directors

J.P. Ghio, Board President – Citizens Energy Group
Mark Jacob – Citizens Energy Group
Olivia Hawbaker– Citizens Energy Group
Rachel Doba – DB-Engineering
Ben Reed – B.E. Reed, LLC

Honoring A Servant Leader

Yvonne_Perkins_2Yvonne Perkins, who passed away in 2016, was servant leader; a graduate of Shortridge High School; a longtime Citizens employee; and a tireless advocate for improving the quality of life in Indianapolis. As a tribute to her memory, the Fund continues impactful workforce development initiatives, enhancing access to meaningful educational and career opportunities while specifically reducing disparities for members of the Black community and other diverse groups including veterans and members of reentry programs.

Uniting Our Community

YPLF_Golf_Outing_3

For many years, Citizens Energy Group enjoyed inviting friends and partners to join a yearly golf outing fundraiser in support of educational and workforce development initiatives. In 2022, the Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund was established as the chief recipient of these fundraising efforts.

The Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund and our annual golf outings will continue to unite our community around educating our young people, developing equity in the workforce, and growing the talent pool in Marion County. In support of these objectives, the YPLF is excited to offer scholarships for which students can apply.

 

Scholarship Applicants

Scholarship candidates will be invited from local high schools and veteran and re-entry organizations in Indianapolis/Marion County. To apply for a Perkins Fund scholarship, the candidate will be asked to provide the following key information as part of the application form:

  • Reference letter from a non-family member

  • 1-2 page essay telling the candidate’s story of how they have overcome or are working toward overcoming hardships, how they currently contribute or plan to give back to the community, why they are interested in pursuing further education, and how they will use their educational experience to the betterment of their future, as well as the basis for the financial need

Preference may be given to the four Indianapolis neighborhood areas identified in Citizens’ Neighborhood Ambassador Program: King Commons, Martindale Brightwood, SoIndy, and Twin Aire.

Those interested in learning more about Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund scholarships should contact YPLF@citizensenergygroup.com 

To apply: click here

Other Considerations:

Awarded scholarships will be eligible for all college degrees and vocational certificates rather than limiting to specific degrees/focuses/schools/organizations within all business aspects of Citizens Energy and the engineering and construction industries.

  • The schools and organizations involved must be willing to accept the funds directly.

  • Candidate stories may be used to promote the YPLF to further raise awareness, advocacy, and financial support for future scholarships.

  • Those selected for a scholarship are eligible to apply for future YPLF scholarships.

  • Those awarded a YPLF scholarship may also be offered an opportunity to serve as an intern at one of the YPLF affiliated organizations.

  • Those awarded a YPLF scholarship may be presented volunteer opportunities alongside one or more of the YPLF affiliated organizations.

About YPLF

Yvonne Perkins Legacy Fund, Inc is a registered 501(c)(3) organization that provides one-time scholarships. YPLF is funded by donations from individuals and local corporations.

2022 Sponsors

We’d like to thank the sponsors of our 2022 Yvonne Perkins Legacy Foundation golf outing:

Christopher B. Burke Engineering 

Greeley and Hansen 

Miller-Eads Company 

Northpointe Engineering & Surveying, In. 

B.E. REED 

Sexson Mechanical 

Indiana Reclamation & Excavation 

Veterans Engineering & Technical Services 

CHA Consulting, Inc 

Miller Pipeline 

AECOM 

7NT 

V3 Companies 

Inliner Solutions 

Powers Engineering 

Structured Solutions 

SAK Construction 

Etica Group 

HNTB  

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. 

CMAA - Indiana Chapter 

Ferguson Waterworks 

Bowen Engineering 

Harris & Ford LLC 

DLZ Corporation 

ISCO Industries 

Sunbelt Rentals 

Arcadis 

DB Engineering 

Resource International, Inc. 

Covalen 

S-K JV 

S & K Equipment Company 

Reynolds Construction, LLC 

Black & Veatch 

TSW Utility Solutions